Celebrity Justice
Like Father, Like Son?

William Balfour -- the "person of interest" in the murders of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew -- isn't the first Balfour to run afoul of the law.

Balfour's father is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for murder. His brother served time for drug dealing.

Balfour himself has served time for attempted murder and carjacking.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Balfour was a member of the Gangster Disciple Street Gang.

Also according to court docs, Balfour told the judge back in 1999 he had a good relationship with his mother until "she gets an attitude."

Reader Comments

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61. he need's to be put in a cage.

Posted at 4:33PM on Oct 28th 2008 by big joe

62. I agree with most that have posted and blame the sister for bringing William into her son's life. This is a fact she will have to live with for the rest of her life. What I don't understand is why people are calling her names and talking about her weight. I've met plenty of possibly low-self esteem women and most of them have not been over-weight. So I'm not sure why those that are stating this are jumping to the conclusion that he was only with her for sex and because she is heavy. He probably would have latched on to anyone that would have taken him, black, white, asian, indian, overweight, underweight, handicapped, etc...

Posted at 4:39PM on Oct 28th 2008 by VA

63. Ok for all those that said Jennifer should have moved her mother out the "hood", this has nothing to do with the place she lived. This is bascially her family that did this. Julia married a low-life and even though she was seprated from him, he was still part of their family. It is not like some random person came off the street and killed these people.So get off this whole thing about the neighborhood is what went wrong. I grew up in a better part of Brooklyn, I finally moved but my mother still lives there and she will not go anyway because Brooklyn is what she calls home. Anyway it has all to do with who Julia let in her life and in her son's (R.I.P) life.

Posted at 4:35PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Jade

64. Thank you TMZ and the rest of the media. This whole story in basically anti-obama ! American's can now see that kind of leader he has been to Illinois. More americans dead in Chicago then Iraq last month. Love when the media hangs. You just cant walk away from a story, no matter how much it hurts your cause. Thug life isn't the American way. Vote Wisely

Posted at 4:37PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Red Bull 420

65. Hope they take good care of him in prison and while they are taking care of his ass they can look up daddy Balfour prison number and thank him for such a wonderful son!!

Posted at 4:37PM on Oct 28th 2008 by acorn loves Obama

66. Why do people keep saying Jennifer should have moved her family out of the hood. HER MOTHER DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE.. And it really would not matter in this case because the person that murdered her family was part of the family. Women need to be more careful who they chose to bring into their life and the life of their children. I'm sick of women being so hard up they would put a man's needs before that of their children. And stop blaming Obama, Mccain, and teachers respect starts in the home. If you can't raise your children right then don't have any. Violence has no race, or location, it can hit anyone at anytime. Know what your kids are doing. If your child is walking around wearing the same colors all the time, take notice. If your child is always on the internet, take notice. If your son is walking around with a swastika tattoo don't think he is not capable of commenting a hate crime. People have forgotten the power of a strong Mother and Father.

Posted at 4:40PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Renee

67. Can't wait to see him. Will have a nice cell mate just waiting for him to go to sleep so we can wake him up and take care of this low life.

Posted at 4:45PM on Oct 28th 2008 by prison guard

68. We Americans are complete retards. Bush was elected not once but TWICE and now Obama is leading and will most likely become president. Then everyone stands there and complains that our country is a mess.

Posted at 4:46PM on Oct 28th 2008 by sigh

69. This is what happens when you have judges that let these people out on early release. This is what happens when people don't want to work for a living. These are the peolpe that get the handout. These are the people that our hard working tax money goes for.

Posted at 4:55PM on Oct 28th 2008 by ObamaLand

70. Ana #68
I completely agree with you. I wish every word of what you just wrote could be put in all the magazines that no doubt will be talking about this. Unfortunately the stories that will be sitting on the news stands will be filled with pure lies and garbage about poor Julia. She isn't mourning, she is loving her 15 minutes., For once her name is in lights along side Jennifer's.


Posted at 4:55PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Pam

71. It has nothing to do with them living in the hood. It has nothing to do with them being black. It has nothing to do with the bad choices that Julia made in her life. The person who killed the members of this family is a murderer. It would'nt matter if he lived in the Hills, or the OC. It doesn't matter. People die every day. I don't think any of us can be judge, jury, and executioner. This is something that they all will live with for the rest of their lives. It is a hurt that will never go away. Many women make bad choices. Women and their children are killed almost on a daily basis. and guess what, they're not all black. Pick up a newspaper sometime instead of getting all of your information from TMZ and the like. Look at CNN.COM under crime. Look at all the women and children and men of all races and economic backgrounds that are murdered every day. My GOD people, take a look around your neighborhood. Think you know your neighbors....think again.

Posted at 5:00PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Raven

72. To #47 Gnome, but OF COURSE Julia Hudson is MySpacing every day, cause she's famous now!

Ten-to-one I'll bet she's already picking out some polyurethane leopard-print sheet set for when MTV profiles her "Cribs". (Either that or a pullout in "Hustler")

Posted at 5:02PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Ana

73. if this ahole is guilty, he should be killed. too bad he can't be killed three times for each of these horrible murders.

Posted at 5:05PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Tyra Banks

74. How could anyone look at that little boy in the eye and shoot him in the head. He deserves to die a horrible death.

Posted at 5:06PM on Oct 28th 2008 by tracey

75. OMG Raven #71, it has EVEYTING to do with it !!!!!!!!

Posted at 5:07PM on Oct 28th 2008 by Ana

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